News

Wild News

Wild vs. Avalanche Post Game Notes

by
Staff Writer
/ Minnesota Wild

G Craig Anderson made 28 saves, and C Matt Duchene, RW Chris Stewart, RW Milan Hejduk and C Matt Hendricks scored a goal apiece, as the Colorado Avalanche held off the Minnesota Wild 4-3 in front of 18,244 at Xcel Energy Center. The Avalanche defeated the Wild in regulation for just the second time in the last 16 regular season meetings.

G Niklas Backstrom made 17 saves in his 200th NHL game and RW Cal Clutterbuck, RW Owen Nolan and RW Martin Havlat each scored goal for the Wild, which has lost back-to-back games in regulation for the first time since Oct. 24-Oct. 26. Minnesota, which had its four-game home winning streak snapped, plays host to Edmonton at a special 6 p.m. start time on Wednesday. The Wild has defeated the Oilers in 10 straight home meetings.

Minnesota had won the season’s first four meetings and fell to 12-2-2 in its last 16 regular-season games against Colorado. The Wild is 11-2-2 in its last 15 home games against the Avs. Colorado defeated the Wild in regulation for the first time in the regular season since Nov. 18, 2007, a 6-5 decision at Xcel Energy Center.

RW Cal Clutterbuck scored his second short-handed of the season. It marked the Wild’s third short-handed marker this season.

D Nick Schultz posted an assist for the third straight game – tying his career-high assist streak, which was set Oct. 28-Nov. 1, 2003. Schultz’ three-game point streak also ties a career-high, last done Dec. 19-23, 2008.

RW Owen Nolan returned from a four-game injury absence to score his eighth goal of the season – tied for third on the Wild roster.

RW Martin Havlat skated in his 500th NHL game and scored a third-period goal to extend his point streak to six games (4-5=9). It marked his sixth goal this season.

D Clayton Stoner, playing his third career NHL game, posted his second assist in two games.